This is the point about devolution of tactics on the battlefield. Task and Purpose. You use all the top line stuff to take out targets of strategic or long-term tactical value (Facilities, 4C, ISR, SEADs etc.), winnowing down to the next set of tactical targets in support of offensive actions, etc. until the magazines are Winchester. The…
This is the point about devolution of tactics on the battlefield. Task and Purpose. You use all the top line stuff to take out targets of strategic or long-term tactical value (Facilities, 4C, ISR, SEADs etc.), winnowing down to the next set of tactical targets in support of offensive actions, etc. until the magazines are Winchester. Then we are down to tanks, artillery, whatever the Air arm has left, and infantry. See: Russia; Ukraine.
To some extent, that happens naturally. Task and Purpose again. You aren't using some of those weapons against armored formations - so they were used for their purpose and maybe they aren't necessary after they do their job and take out their targets. Others that are more general use - such as LRASM/JASM-ERs - we need to have more of and distribute. You have to match the arsenal to how you intend to use it. In an extreme example, we could have thousands of missiles to strike ships, but once the ships in the opponents Navy are gone...how else can you use them?
But, in general, it is better to have them and not have to use all of them than to not have enough. That also has to be matched to delivery vehicles/platforms. As we know, war is not convenient and doesn't care how you planned to fight your battle - the enemy gets a say. The lesson has been, though, don't forget the basics because the Ukrainians and Russians are using a LOT of ATGMs, MANPADS, artillery shells, and tank rounds...along with a lot of bullets. Having THAT magazine stocked is of equal importance because we WILL get to that type of battle - at least in Europe.
Which takes us to the Navy, replenishment ships and logistical capabilities, and that they all use missiles now for nearly everything. If you don't have enough missiles, they are useless. If you can't reload them quickly, they are useless after they go Winchester. I suppose if you have the luxury and can get everyone out of Replenishment, you could rotate carrier groups and SAGs so they get replaced on station and can go home to reload. But it seems to me that in the Pacific this will be a situation where you have 5 CVNs with their surface groups, all the active big deck Amphibs with 20 or so F-35Bs, subs, bombers, and everything else you can muster hitting all at once.
Then a big lull? It may be the TEMPO of operations that decides things for both sides, along with hitting what you aim at.
This is the point about devolution of tactics on the battlefield. Task and Purpose. You use all the top line stuff to take out targets of strategic or long-term tactical value (Facilities, 4C, ISR, SEADs etc.), winnowing down to the next set of tactical targets in support of offensive actions, etc. until the magazines are Winchester. Then we are down to tanks, artillery, whatever the Air arm has left, and infantry. See: Russia; Ukraine.
To some extent, that happens naturally. Task and Purpose again. You aren't using some of those weapons against armored formations - so they were used for their purpose and maybe they aren't necessary after they do their job and take out their targets. Others that are more general use - such as LRASM/JASM-ERs - we need to have more of and distribute. You have to match the arsenal to how you intend to use it. In an extreme example, we could have thousands of missiles to strike ships, but once the ships in the opponents Navy are gone...how else can you use them?
But, in general, it is better to have them and not have to use all of them than to not have enough. That also has to be matched to delivery vehicles/platforms. As we know, war is not convenient and doesn't care how you planned to fight your battle - the enemy gets a say. The lesson has been, though, don't forget the basics because the Ukrainians and Russians are using a LOT of ATGMs, MANPADS, artillery shells, and tank rounds...along with a lot of bullets. Having THAT magazine stocked is of equal importance because we WILL get to that type of battle - at least in Europe.
Which takes us to the Navy, replenishment ships and logistical capabilities, and that they all use missiles now for nearly everything. If you don't have enough missiles, they are useless. If you can't reload them quickly, they are useless after they go Winchester. I suppose if you have the luxury and can get everyone out of Replenishment, you could rotate carrier groups and SAGs so they get replaced on station and can go home to reload. But it seems to me that in the Pacific this will be a situation where you have 5 CVNs with their surface groups, all the active big deck Amphibs with 20 or so F-35Bs, subs, bombers, and everything else you can muster hitting all at once.
Then a big lull? It may be the TEMPO of operations that decides things for both sides, along with hitting what you aim at.